Applicator for Cosmetic Product, Method for Obtaining an Applicator, and Associated Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

An applicator ( 10 ) for a cosmetic product has a core ( 12 ) extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, which is referred to as the main direction (X). The core ( 12 ) has two twisted metal strands. The applicator ( 10 ) further has a plurality of fibres held on the core ( 12 ) by the twisted strands. The twisted strands form non-contiguous turns ( 14, 14′, 15 ) so as to accommodate the fibres, the number and/or the type of the fibres varying from one turn, which is referred to as the first turn ( 14, 14′ ), to the other, which is referred to as the second turn ( 15 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1558364 filed Sep. 9, 2015. The present application claims priority to and the benefit the above-identified application, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product, to a method for obtaining an applicator for cosmetic product, and to an associated applicator assembly.

BACKGROUND

Mascara applicators can be formed by injection-moulding plastics material; they are then commonly referred to as “plastics brushes”. They can also be obtained from fibrous elements held between the longitudinal portions of a twisted pin, in which case they are commonly referred to as “fibre brushes”. Applicators for mascara have a core, or central portion, and bristles extending radially about said core. The ends of said bristles usually form envelopes in a main longitudinal extension direction of said brush. The bristles of fibre brushes are commonly referred to as “the fibres”.

Plastics brushes from the prior art have distributions of bristles about the core which make it possible to produce complex envelopes which facilitate make-up application. With regard to fibre brushes, such features appear to be more difficult to achieve, unless drawing upon operations of cutting fibres in trajectories which are difficult to implement.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention propose producing an applicator equipped with fibres which have advantageous features in terms of make-up application, whilst remaining relatively simple to obtain.

Aspects of the invention thus relate to an applicator for cosmetic product, comprising a core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, which is referred to as the main direction, said core comprising two twisted metal strands, said applicator further comprising a plurality of fibres held on the core by said twisted strands.

According to aspects of the invention, said twisted strands form non-contiguous turns so as to accommodate said fibres, the number and/or the type of the fibres varying from one turn, which is referred to as the first turn, to the other, which is referred to as the second turn.

Aspects of the invention thus propose an applicator which is composed of fibres which vary in number and/or type. This has the advantage of offering varied make-up application effects along the main longitudinal extension direction of said applicator. In this way, a user's eyelashes are thus combed and loaded with make-up effectively.

The use of an applicator equipped with fibres additionally allows a greater density of fibres than in the case of the bristles of plastics brushes.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

-   -   the applicator of the invention comprises a plurality of first         turns and a plurality of second turns along said main direction,     -   said plurality of first turns comprises fibres of a first,         hollow type, and fibres of a second, solid type,     -   said plurality of second turns comprises only fibres of a first,         hollow type,     -   the applicator of the invention has a proximal end which extends         through a region with no fibres, and a distal end which is         opposite said proximal end in the main direction,     -   said plurality of first turns defines, starting from said         proximal end, a first region along said main direction,     -   said first region comprises a number of turns which is in the         range of [8; 12, in particular a number of approximately 10         turns,     -   said first region comprises a number of fibres which is in the         range of [1100; 1500], in particular a number of approximately         1300 fibres,     -   said first region comprises a number of fibres of the first,         hollow type which is in the range of [500; 700], and a number of         fibres of the second, solid type which is in the range of [600;         800], in particular a number of approximately 600 hollow fibres         and a number of approximately 700 solid fibres,     -   the plurality of second turns is located between said first         region and said distal end, thus defining a second region along         said main direction,     -   said second region comprises a number of turns which is in the         range of [3; 5], in particular a number of approximately 4         turns,     -   said second region comprises a number of fibres which is in the         range of [150; 250], in particular a number of approximately 200         fibres,     -   said first region has turns which are spaced apart by a first         pitch, and said second region has turns which are spaced apart         by a second pitch, said first pitch being greater than said         second pitch,     -   the applicator forms a brush.

Aspects of the invention also relate to a method for obtaining an applicator for cosmetic product, comprising:

-   -   a step of distributing a plurality of fibres between two metal         strands, said two strands extending in a main longitudinal         extension direction, which is referred to as the main direction,         the density and/or the type of the fibres distributed between         said two strands varying along said main direction,     -   a single step of twisting said two strands so as to form         non-contiguous turns along said main direction so as to form a         substantially cylindrical envelope using the free ends of said         fibres, the twisting force applied to said two strands being         uniform along said main direction.

The applicator thus obtained has the advantage of having a complex distribution of the fibres whilst drawing upon operations which are still simple to implement.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

-   -   the production method according to the invention further         comprises a step of cutting the free ends of said fibres so as         to form cavities in the region of turns comprising fibres of a         first, hollow type, and peaks in the region of turns comprising         fibres of a second, solid type,     -   said cutting is carried out using a cutter which is corrugated         with respect to a direction which is substantially parallel to         said main direction,     -   said cutting is controlled digitally.

Aspects of the invention also relate to an applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle comprising a body forming a container which is intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator of the type described above, or an applicator which is obtained according to the method of the invention and which is capable of being attached to the receptacle in such a way that said applicator is accommodated inside the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, features and advantages thereof will become clearer throughout the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of an applicator according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY ASPECTS

As shown in FIG. 1, aspects of the invention relate to an applicator 10 for cosmetic product, comprising a core 12 extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, which is referred to as the main direction and has the reference sign X. In this case, the applicator 10 is shown having a rectilinear core 12; however, it could be provided with a curved core without departing from the scope of the invention.

Said core 12 comprises two twisted metal strands and a plurality of fibres held on the core 12 by said twisted strands. Said metal strands are preferably solid and cylindrical so as not to disrupt the distribution of the fibres on either side of the core 12 during the production of the applicator 10.

According to aspects of the invention, said twisted strands form non-contiguous turns 14, 14′, 15 so as to accommodate said fibres. The number and/or the type of the fibres advantageously vary from one turn, which is referred to as the first turn 14, 14′, to the other, which is referred to as the second turn 15. “Non-contiguous turns” is understood to mean consecutive turns which do not come into contact with one another. Advantageously, the density of fibres accommodated by a turn referred to as the first turn 14, 14′ is, in this case, less than the density of fibres accommodated by a turn referred to as the second turn 15.

Furthermore, “type of fibres” is understood to mean fibres which differ, in particular in terms of diameter, material, shape—hollow or solid—or even in terms of colour and/or extension; for example, fibres having a substantially rectilinear radial extension and fibres having branches are understood to be different types. Thus, in FIG. 1, the turns 14, 14′, 15 accommodate fibres of different types, in particular in terms of the shape thereof—hollow or solid.

Varying the types of fibres along said main direction X makes it possible to provide the user with different make-up application effects without the user paying attention thereto.

The applicator 10 of the invention advantageously comprises a plurality of first turns 14, 14′ and a plurality of second turns 15 along said main direction X. In particular, said plurality of first turns 14 14′ comprises fibres of a first, hollow type, having the reference sign A in FIG. 1, and fibres of a second, solid type, having the reference sign B in the same FIG. 1. More specifically, the turns having the reference sign 14 accommodate hollow fibres A, and the turns having the reference sign 14′ accommodate solid fibres B.

“Hollow fibres” is understood to mean fibres in the form of tubes, the cavity of which is distributed randomly with respect to the centre of mass of the hollow fibre. Said hollow fibres are distributed randomly on either side of the core 12 during the production of such an applicator 10; hollow fibres of this type are said to be abundant on either side of the core 12. This has the advantage of achieving beneficial make-up application effects in the region of the turns 14 which accommodate hollow fibres A.

The “solid fibres”, for their part, are distributed regularly on either side of the core 12 during the production of such an applicator 10. This has the advantage of achieving different make-up application effects in the region of the turns 14′ which accommodate solid fibres B.

By way of example, it is advantageous to provide hollow fibres A having a diameter of approximately 0.127 mm and solid fibres B having a diameter of approximately 0.102 mm.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 of the invention has a proximal end 17 which extends through a region with no fibres 16, and a distal end 18 which is opposite said proximal end 17 in the main direction X. The portion of the rod with no fibres 16 is also referred to as the cylindrical coupling 16. Said cylindrical coupling 16 is advantageously intended for assembling said applicator 10 together with a rod, which is itself connected to a means allowing the user to handle the assembly, for example a cap (assembly not shown here).

Furthermore, said plurality of first turns 14, 14′ defines, starting from said proximal end 17, a first region Z1 along said main direction X. Said first region Z1 preferably extends over a length l1 of between 18 mm and 22 mm, for example over a length l1 of approximately 20 mm. Said first region Z1 further comprises a number of turns which is in the range of [8; 12], in particular 10 turns.

To be more specific, said first region Z1 comprises a number of fibres which is in the range of [1100; 1500], in particular 1300 fibres, which are advantageously composed of a number of hollow fibres A which is in the range of [500; 700] and a number of solid fibres B which is in the range of [600; 800]. It should be noted that particularly advantageous results in terms of make-up application have been observed when a region referred to as the first region Z1 comprises 600 hollow fibres A and 700 solid fibres B.

Said plurality of first turns 14, 14′ advantageously comprises a regular alternation of turns 14 accommodating hollow fibres A and turns 14′ accommodating solid fibres B. This contributes to the particularly advantageous effects in terms of make-up application which are achieved in the main direction X of the applicator 10 of the invention.

The plurality of second turns 15, for their part, are located between said first region Z1 and said distal end 18, thus defining a second region Z2 along said main direction X. Said second region Z2 preferably extends over a length l2 of between 4 mm and 8 mm, for example over a length l2 of approximately 6 mm. Said second region Z2 advantageously comprises a number of turns which is in the range of [3; 5], in particular 4 turns.

To be more specific, said second region Z2 comprises a number of fibres which is in the range of [150; 250], in particular 200 fibres, which are composed only of hollow fibres. In other words, the plurality of second turns 15 accommodate only hollow fibres. The hollow fibres of said second region Z2 have a radial extension which is less than, or equal to, the radial extension of the other fibres forming the applicator 10; said fibres are thus more rigid. “Radial extension” refers to the distance between the main direction X and the free end of the fibres.

By way of example, the envelope formed by the hollow fibres of said second region Z2 has a frustoconical shape having a diameter d2 in the vicinity of the distal end 18 which is substantially equal to 4.5 mm, for example. Said second region Z2 thus has the advantage of being intended for precise make-up application, for example for portions which are difficult for the user to access. In addition, said second region Z2 makes it possible to prevent the presence of cosmetic product residue at the end of the applicator 10. Indeed, the hollow fibres of said second region Z2 pick up the cosmetic product, in particular in the case of mascara, rather than let it accumulate at the end of the applicator 10.

Said first region Z1 advantageously has turns 14, 14′ which are spaced apart by a first pitch p1, and said second region Z2 advantageously has turns 15 which are spaced apart by a second pitch p2, said first pitch p1 being greater than said second pitch p2. In other words, the recesses formed by the turns 14, 14′ for hollow and solid fibres of the first region Z1 are larger than the recesses formed by the turns 15 of the second region Z2. This has the advantage, for the first region Z1, of being able to receive a greater density of fibres.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 of the invention advantageously forms a fibre brush.

Aspects of the invention also relate to a method for producing an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, for example that which has just been described.

The method according to the invention comprises a step of distributing a plurality of fibres between the above-mentioned two strands. Advantageously, the density and/or the type of the fibres distributed between said two strands vary along said main direction X. A step of twisting said two strands so as to form the non-contiguous turns 14, 14′, 15 follows, in particular so as to form a substantially cylindrical envelope using the free ends of said fibres. Said substantially cylindrical envelope is an intermediate envelope in the process of obtaining an applicator 10 of the type which has just been described above. Said envelope is not shown here.

It should be noted that the twisting force which is applied to said two strands is uniform along said main direction X. A single twisting step is thus applied to the strands. In other words, the twisting forms turns 14, 14′, 15 which have different pitches p1, p2 according to the density and/or the type of the fibres which are provided therebetween. In other words again, the higher the density of fibres between said two strands, the greater the pitch between the turns which is obtained after twisting, given that the twisting force which is applied to said two strands is uniform along said main direction X. In other words again, a high density of fibres forms a high resistance to the uniform twisting force which is applied along said main direction X. In other words again, said twisting force will have greater difficulty in bending the metal strands in the vicinity of a high density of fibres than in the vicinity of a lower density of fibres. The same applies when the type of the fibres distributed between the strands varies along the main direction X. The type of the fibres can in fact, just like the density, form a greater or lesser resistance to the uniform twisting force applied to the strands along the main direction X.

The twisting step has the advantage of creating spaces between the clumps of fibres accommodated by consecutive turns 14, 14′, said spaces being larger between turns 14, 14′ accommodating high densities of fibres. The spaces thus created are particularly advantageous for forming regions for loading cosmetic product along the main direction X of the applicator 10 of the invention.

In order to accentuate this effect of loading regions, the production method according to the invention further comprises a step of cutting the free ends of said fibres so as to form cavities in the region of turns 14 comprising the hollow fibres B, and peaks in the region of turns 14′ comprising the solid fibres A.

Said cutting is advantageously carried out, in said first region Z1, using a corrugated cutter, which is corrugated in particular with respect to a direction which is substantially perpendicular to said main direction X (cutter not shown here). Said cutting can also be provided so as to be controlled digitally.

Particularly advantageous effects in terms of make-up application are achieved for an envelope formed of peaks and cavities, in particular in the form of a series of discs along the main direction X, said discs having:

-   -   in the region of said peaks, a diameter dA of between 6.5 mm and         8.5 mm, for example a diameter dA of approximately 7.5 mm, and     -   in the region of said cavities, a diameter dB of between 4.5 mm         and 6 mm, for example a diameter dB of approximately 5.5 mm.

Aspects of the invention also relate to an applicator assembly (not shown here) for cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle comprising a body forming a container which is intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 of the type described above, or an applicator 10 which is obtained according to the method of the invention and which is capable of being attached to the receptacle in such a way that said applicator is accommodated inside the container.

It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in additional embodiments, for the applicator of the invention to have a number of distinct regions, in terms of the density and/or shape of the fibres, which is greater than two regions, for example three to four distinct regions. 

1. Applicator for cosmetic product, comprising a core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, which is referred to as the main direction (X), said core comprising two twisted metal strands, said applicator further comprising a plurality of fibres held on the core by said twisted strands, said applicator being characterised in that said twisted strands form non-contiguous turns so as to accommodate said fibres, the number and/or the type of the fibres varying from one turn, referred to as the first turn, to the other, referred to as the second turn.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of first turns and a plurality of second turns along said main direction (X).
 3. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of first turns comprises fibres of a first, hollow type (A), and fibres of a second, solid type (B).
 4. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of second turns comprises only fibres of a first, hollow type.
 5. Applicator according to claim 4, having a proximal end which extends through a region with no fibres, and a distal end which is opposite said proximal end in the main direction (X), said plurality of first turns defining, starting from said proximal end, a first region (Z1) along said main direction (X).
 6. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein said first region (Z1) comprises a number of turns which is in the range of [8; 12].
 7. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein said first region (Z1) comprises a number of fibres which is in the range of [1100; 1500].
 8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein said first region (Z1) comprises a number of fibres of the first, hollow type (A) which is in the range of [500; 700], and a number of fibres of the second, solid type (B) which is in the range of [600; 800].
 9. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of second turns is located between said first region (Z1) and said distal end, thus defining a second region (Z2) along said main direction (X).
 10. Applicator according to claim 9, wherein said second region (Z2) comprises a number of turns (15) which is in the range of from 3 to
 5. 11. Applicator according to claim 9, wherein said second region (Z2) comprises a number of fibres which is in the range of [150; 250].
 12. Applicator according to claim 9, wherein said first region (Z1) has turns which are spaced apart by a first pitch (p1), and said second region (Z2) has turns (15) which are spaced apart by a second pitch (p2), said first pitch (p1) being greater than said second pitch (p2).
 13. Method for obtaining an applicator for cosmetic product, comprising: a) a step of distributing a plurality of fibres between two metal strands, said two strands extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, which is referred to as the main direction (X), the density and/or the type of the fibres distributed between said two strands varying along said main direction (X), b) a single step of twisting said two strands so as to form non-contiguous turns along said main direction so as to form a substantially cylindrical envelope using the free ends of said fibres, the twisting force applied to said strands being uniform along said main direction (X).
 14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of cutting the free ends of said fibres so as to form cavities in the region of turns comprising fibres of a first, hollow type (A), and peaks in the region of turns comprising fibres of a second, solid type (B).
 15. Applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: a receptacle comprising a body forming a container which is intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim 1, which is capable of being attached to the receptacle in such a way that said applicator is accommodated inside the container.
 16. Applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: a receptacle comprising a body forming a container which is intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator obtained according to claim 13, which is capable of being attached to the receptacle in such a way that said applicator is accommodated inside the container. 